UT Tyler Psychology and Counseling

The M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) is intended to prepare students
to counsel persons experiencing psychological disturbance due to developmental, educational,
career, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, cultural, relational or environmental issues.
Students develop competencies in diagnosis and assessment, evidence-based counseling/psychotherapy
techniques, group processes, human development, cultural diversity, addiction and
career counseling. Students who complete their degrees and meet state certification
or licensing requirements may be employed in a variety of mental health settings.

All Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will complete a specified program that
provides foundational knowledge and skills to be an effective mental health counselor.
Students may take classes in Family and Couples counseling if they plan to work with
these clients.

UT Tyler's CMHC program is a CACREP accredited program designed to prepare graduates to become Licensed Professional Counselors with the
appropriate post-graduation experiences. The CMHC degree program requires 60 credit
hours of graduate course work.

Certification and Licensure

Graduates of the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are eligible to apply for
licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the Texas State Board
of Examiners of Professional Counselors. In addition to the degree, the LPC requires
successful passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) followed by 3000 hours of supervised practice in a counseling role.

To be eligible to practice within the U.S. Military (Tricare) and Veteran's Administration
mental health care systems, graduates will also be required to take and pass the National
Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination, administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Students who wish to complete the general program of study in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling should choose their remaining 6 hours from the graduate counseling and
psychology courses listed in the course catalog. They should consult their faculty advisor and specify the courses in their degree
plans.

Comprehensive Exam: Students admitted to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program in spring
2013 or later are required to take and pass the national, standardized Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) to graduate.